Romanian public workers stage vuvuzela pay protest

Average monthly wage is $537 CAD

10/07/2014|hrreporter.com|Last Updated: 10/07/2014

BUCHAREST (Reuters) — Thousands of workers rallied in front of the offices of Romania's leftist government on Tuesday to demand better living standards and wages, just weeks before a presidential election.

"Thieves, thieves, we want decent jobs!" the crowds shouted, calling on the government to resign.

Data published on Tuesday showed the net average monthly wage fell 2.1 per cent to 1,683 lei ($537 CAD) in August, with health and education sectors earning around 1,460 lei.Romania is the European Union's second poorest member after Bulgaria.

Prime Minister Victor Ponta, whose Social Democrats have a comfortable parliamentary majority, is tipped to win the presidential race, giving him a pivotal role in appointing a new premier and cabinet to oversee an IMF-led aid deal and reforms.

Opinion polls showed Ponta getting about 42 per cent of votes in the first round on Nov. 2, followed by provincial mayor Klaus Iohannis, an ethnic German, with 27 per cent. Ponta is seen winning a Nov. 16 runoff ballot with 57 per cent.